US Pacific Commander Says New Chinese Law on Taiwan 'Disconcerting'

VOA News via The Epoch Times ^ | 03/09/05 | Al Pessin

[TigerLikesRooster]

US Pacific Commander Says New Chinese Law on Taiwan 'Disconcerting'

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By Al Pessin VOA News

Mar 09, 2005

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Admiral William Fallon (Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP)

WASHINGTON - The new commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral William Fallon, has expressed concern about the new anti-secession law China's legislature is expected to pass next week.

In his first public comments since taking over the huge Pacific Command about 10 days ago, Admiral Fallon told the Senate Armed Services Committee that it is at the top of his list to gain a better understanding of the China-Taiwan issue, and what the United States can do to help ease tensions. But he said the anti-secession law China is expected to enact is causing him some concern.

"It's disconcerting that this legislation, the anti-secession law, as they call it, has been put forward because it hardens the line," he said. "And it gives them, apparently, a legal basis, of sorts for the potential for military action later on. So I don't think it's particularly useful to the idea that we would propose to lessen tensions between Taiwan and China."

The new Chinese law authorizes what it calls "non-peaceful" means to achieve reunification with Taiwan, if that becomes necessary. China has always reserved the right to use force, but the new law is seen as providing a legal basis for doing so. Taiwan split from China at the time of the communist revolution in 1949, and for decades claimed to be home to the country's legal government. But in recent years, the idea of Taiwan independence has become more popular on the island.

The United States says there is only one China, opposes Taiwan's independence movement and wants the issue settled through negotiations. The United States has a strong economic relationship with China and also has a long-standing defense relationship with Taiwan. Any Chinese attack on the island could draw a U.S. military response.

Admiral Fallon says he is working with his subordinate commanders to find ways the U.S. Pacific command can help reduce tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

"We clearly have interests on both sides and I think we're, at least in theory, positioned pretty well to maybe have some influence here," he said. "And I hope we can do that."

Admiral Fallon told the senators one reason the United States has that influence is what he called a "very, very substantial increase in the capability" of the forces under his command. He says U.S. naval, air and land forces in the Pacific are capable of projecting U.S. military power throughout the region and to do all the jobs they are called on to do.

[TigerLikesRooster]

What do you call "500 Chinese Navy ships at the bottom of ocean?"

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[seacapn]

China is slowly bringing Taiwan back into its orbit and under its wing, mostly economically, but also through a gradual program of limiting what Taiwan is willing to do as a quasi-nation. It's a very patient and long-term strategy. There is some bluster for domestic consumption, but reunification is already taking place.

[Truth29]

"It's disconcerting that this legislation, the anti-secession law, as they call it, has been put forward because it hardens the line," he said. "And it gives them, apparently, a legal basis, of sorts for the potential for military action later on. So I don't think it's particularly useful to the idea that we would propose to lessen tensions between Taiwan and China."

I trust the Admiral misspoke when dignifying the Chinese action as giving themselves a "legal basis" to use force. That is like saying that Saddam passed a law saying Kuwait was a part of Iraq and, therefore, the invasion was legal.

[stuartcr]

...not likely??

[stuartcr]

...not likely??

[Cicero]

A great deal depends on whether Chinese economic growth continues until China becomes a world power, perhaps the primary world power, or whether that growth runs into problems the way it did earlier in Japan.

It's hard to see how things can continue the way they have been going, with huger and huger trade imbalances, and as Japan showed, having a positive balance of trade doesn't always turn out well in the end. But instead of China collapsing, the U.S. or the world economy could collapse instead.

The other question is whether capitalism can ever be consistent with Communist control, over the long run. If the Communist tyranny in China collapses, then reunification with Taiwan could take place peacefully.

Until some of these issues are resolved, I think we have no choice but to defend Taiwan. A triumphalist China is too dangerous to permit. If they are allowed to invade Taiwan, then they will only start looking around at what to invade next. Nepal? Mongolia? Afghanistan? India?

We are fortunate this is happening on Bush's watch, and not clinton's.

[BroncosFan]

He sounds like a nice step up from the panda-humping Adm. Blair. Anyone have any intel on him?

[RexBeach]

A good start!

[billbears]

Two questions. Is Taiwan now or at any time in the past been a part of China? Is Taiwan recognized as a separate government by the UN?

[The Westerner]

"He says U.S. naval, air and land forces in the Pacific are capable of projecting U.S. military power throughout the region and to do all the jobs they are called on to do."

It's refreshing to hear such clear self-assertion from an American. I like this guy.

[The Westerner]

He made two statements in that sentence that clearly indicate how he views this quasi-legal law. I took away the opposite impression than you did.

[Spktyr]

Yes, it used to be the province of Formosa before Chian Kai-Shek and the pro-demcracy crowd got run out of mainland China by Mao and his friends. No, Taiwan is not recognized by the UN (which is stupid).

[Diplomat]

Their proper home port.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #7

Fanning triumphalist mood is one of the way the current regime will use to survive. They announce grand plans, talk about breath-taking new future, and dream about China which will tower over the world.

As you said, their economy cannot grow at current pace indefinitely. It will hit a brick wall just as Japanese did in late 80's.

Either their economy goes down first and drag American economy. Or it may be the other way around. Either way, we have a major economic trouble ahead economically.

[dog breath]

I like this Admiral's quiet understated manner. With the Chinese building up their naval capabilities they may end up starting one of the world's great naval conflicts. Once they build their carriers for fighter support, their sub hunting destroyers, their amphibious landing craft and keep improving their satellite capability they should be ready to rock and roll on Taiwan. Currently, while they have bombers and missiles capable of attacking Taiwan, they would be doomed to failure. I thought a earlier thread about this was interesting because there was lots of opinion that they will not wait, because the existence of Taiwan, as a free democratic Chinese country, is driving their government mad. They will get their rear handed to them if they try anything currently, because they do not have the capacity to pull off a invasion of Taiwan. In six to ten years it could be a different story. There is lots of concern being expressed that the military, the PLA, is really in charge of the government.

[billbears]

Thank you. Therefore it is absolute hypocrisy that an officer in the United States Armed Forces would call a law banning secession 'disconcerting' considering the history of this nation of states. That is unless the government in Washington has changed its mind on previous actions.

[henderson field]

"...it gives them [red chinese] a legal basis for...military action later on..."
Of course they will make laws to benefit themselves.
Everything that Hitler did was lawful under German law.
That doesn't make it lawful under our laws and that doesn't make it right.

[henderson field]

"...if they're allowed to invade Taiwan,... what next...Nepal?"
They've already begun to invade Nepal. They need it for their water supply. The Chinese are short of fresh water for their large population.

[PeterFinn]

"What do you call "500 Chinese Navy ships at the bottom of ocean?"

A slow day for CINCPAC.